Why United Is Against Philippine Airlines Expansion In Guam

United Airlines has lodged a submission with the US Department of Transport regarding Philippine Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary, PAL Express, who are proposing to codeshare on some flights between Manila and Guam.

United has lodged an objection with the US DOT over PAL’s proposed codesharing deal into Guam. Photo: United News Hub.

What the proposed codeshare about?

Philippine Airlines flies its own aircraft daily between Manila and Guam. It would like to codeshare with PAL Express on a further two flights each week. The arrangement, if approved, would come into effect in March 2020. The simmering dispute has been mentioned in several online publications including Live and Lets Fly.

According to the submission by the parent company of both Philippine Airlines and PAL Express, Air Philippines Corporation (APC), approving the codeshare proposal will;

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“ … enhance competition and improve the options available to travelers and shippers seeking service between the Philippines and Guam.”

United not buying it

United isn’t buying this and has lodged a submission with the Department of Transportation, asking them to defer a decision on the APC application. United Airlines said;

“While United is not opposed in principle to APC’s (Air Philippines Corporation) requested authority, United objects to the application to the extent it seeks benefits that are being denied to United and its customer base.”

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A United Airlines spokesperson told Simple Flying;

“With access to more flights at Manila, United would be able to continue to grow and expand our global route network and offer our customers more choice and access to this part of Asia.”

United runs a daily 737-800 direct service between Guam and Manila. It also has a twice-weekly service via Koror. United wants to run some more flights to Manila, but the airport is bursting at the seams and the airline has been unable to acquire the slots and gates needed.

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Philippine Airlines getting a good run in the USA

There are no such problems at Guam’s International Airport. Additionally, the Chicago based airline is a little sore that Philippine Airlines has been able to significantly ramp up the number of flights and seats on its Philippines – US services in recent years.

CH-Aviation reports that Philippine Airlines has increased capacity between the Philippines and the USA by around 33% in the past year. Philippine Airlines is currently flying to Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York.

But United (and other US airlines) are severely constrained in what they can do at Manila. It is fundamentally an access and equity issue. There is an argument that the Philippines Government is not acting in the spirit of the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries. United goes on to say in its Department of Transport submission;

“While United has been unable to execute its Manila growth plans, Philippine carriers have increased capacity to the US. Given these facts, United Airlines believes that the slot and airport access challenges it has experienced at Manila must be rectified before the Department approves the APC application.”

In summary

United raises some valid points. Equity and access are important. On the other hand, Philippine Airlines is a small player compared to the US aviation juggernaut. Philippine Airlines has 72 aircraft, flies to 98 destinations and had revenue in 2018 just shy of USD$3 billion. United Airlines has nearly 800 aircraft, flies to nearly 350 destinations and had 2018 revenue of USD$41 billion.

It’s kind of interesting to see the little guy potentially get a break at the expense of the big guy.

Journalist - A Masters level education and appetite for travel combines to make Andrew an incredible aviation brain with decades of insight behind him. Working closely with airlines including Qantas and Virgin Australia, Andrew’s first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Australian airlines adds exciting depth and color to his work and sees him providing commentary to ABC News and more. Based in Melbourne, Australia.